Enge and Howe oust Carson school board trustees

Two Carson City School Board seats will be filled with new faces: Joe Enge and Barbara Howe. Of the three positions up for election, only one incumbent, Robert Crowell, will return after Tuesday's general election.

"I appreciate the confidence the voters placed in me," said Joe Enge, who beat incumbent James Hukari as the trustee representing District 3. He received 56.87 percent - 8,797 votes - compared to Hukari's 43.13 percent - 6,671 votes.

"I look forward to working together with the other board members to handle the problems the Carson City School District faces," he said.

As a start, Enge said he plans to focus on obtaining "results instead of micromanaging."

Howe received more votes than Jeff Fontaine, the incumbent appointed to the District 6 seat earlier this year to replace Sheila Ward. Howe garnered 51.95 percent - 8,059 votes - versus 48.05 percent - 7,454 votes.

"It was nice to articulate a vision and have people support that vision," Howe said. "I want to encourage all the people who voted for me to stay engaged with me."

Howe's initial goals will be to improve the health of students in the district, she said.

"I'd like to see school food improved," she said. "See high school students have time enough to buy food and eat it. And see kids walk and ride bikes safely to and from school."

The only incumbent to make it to another term was Robert Crowell, who will represent District 4 for a third term. He earned 58.73 percent - 9,269 votes - compared to challenger Ann Bednarski, who received 41.27 percent - 6,514 votes.

"I'd like to thank the Carson City voters for their support and their continued support of the school system," he said.

Crowell said he would like to conduct "due diligence on creating a vocational school, keep an eye on performance standards," and ensure the district's infrastructure be improved as a result of the voters approving Carson City Question 1, the $25 million bond initiative aimed at construction, repairs and improvements of school district facilities.

Crowell gave most of his campaign donations to the bond approval committee and said he was more excited about the bond being approved than his winning the election.

"It's wonderful that people are concerned about the facilities our kids are using," said Dr. Mary Pierczynski, schools superintendent.

The top-priority improvement will be replacing the portable buildings at Carson Middle School with a permanent building, she said.

The city's school board is a seven-member elected body that oversees the district's operations of 11 traditional campuses, adult education and charter school.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.